SIRIMONGKOL SINGWANGCHA gets a chance to be great again.

The WBC lightweight division was thrown into controversy when the two top contenders fighting in the US - Diego Chico Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo - could not box for the official title because of repeated disputes over weight.

Both fighters have struggled to make the lightweight maximum limit of 135 pounds (61kg) and the Vice-President of the WBC and Asian Boxing Council President Pol General Kovid Bhakdibhumi protested that Thailand's No 2 ranked contender was being sidelined because of the ongoing weight dispute.

"It wasn't a fair playing field and I told this to WBC President Jose Sulaiman," said Pol General Kovid. "I protested that Sirimongkol should not be the innocent victim of a problem that concerns two boxers fighting in the US. In the past Sirimongkol has shown that he is a great champion and he now gets the chance to be great again."

Pol Gen Kovid said there was every reason to be confident that both Sirimongkol and Pongsaklek Kratingdaeng-gym would have WBC world title belts when HM the King celebrates his accession to the throne 60 years ago.

"Pongsaklek is heading for the WBC Hall of Fame and Sirimongkol is going for his third WBC title. The year 2006 is shaping up to be a very good year for boxing in Thailand," said Pol Gen Kovid.

Sirimongkol's manager Naris Singhawungcha said he had received confirmation from Japan's main boxing promoter Honda San that Chigashi Inada, ranked No 3, had accepted the challenge to fight for the interim world title in Thailand.

"We are talking to Thai TV and we will soon be announcing the venue for the fight, but I can say that it will be held in Thailand," said Naris.

Pound for pound Sirimongkol is one of the best and most exciting fighters in the world today and, if he wins his third WBC title, he won't let it go easily.

At 29 years of age Sirimongkol has at least another four years of championship boxing ahead of him.

At his best the former muay Thai fighter - who became an orthodox boxer in his teens - is a cleaver, hard hitter. Sirimongkol said he was a better boxer now than when he won the WBC bantamweight world title at the age of 19 in 1996.

"I am more experienced, more confident and I like to fight as a lightweight as I have no trouble making weight," he said.

If Sirimongkol has one weakness it's his loose defence, but he says he likes to be aggressive in the ring and that his open style is an assist and not a liability.

"There's a fine line between holding up your guard and allowing yourself to be in free flow in the ring. I just want to fight naturally - and win."

Patrick Cusick

The Nation